Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists launched another round of attacks in the Red Sea, targeting two oil tankers, escalating tensions in an already volatile region.
On Monday, the Houthis hit the Panama-flagged, Greek-operated MV Blue Lagoon I and the Saudi-operated MV Amjad with ballistic missiles and drones, furthering their disruption of global shipping routes, especially in light of Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas.
Sept 2 U.S. Central Command Update
In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed two missile systems in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.
It was determined these systems presented an imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and… pic.twitter.com/XdKq6g5V16
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) September 3, 2024
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), both vessels were carrying crude oil, with the MV Amjad loaded with approximately two million barrels—nearly double the capacity of another vessel attacked earlier, the MV Delta Sounion, which continues to burn in the southern Red Sea after a Houthi strike last month.
That fire, alongside Monday’s hits, raises the specter of major environmental and economic disasters, while the Houthis brazenly push forward with their campaign of regional destabilization.
Video released by the #Houthis seems to show the setting of explosive charges on the deck of the tanker #Sounion off the coast of Yemen in the #RedSea.
At 150k tons, this tanker is almost twice the size of Exxon Valdez and the environmental damage to the region will be massive. pic.twitter.com/EfUbg5o5j9
— Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping)
(@mercoglianos) August 23, 2024
The Houthis’ latest act of aggression underscores their broader strategy of leveraging maritime terrorism to disrupt key shipping lanes, particularly in the aftermath of Iran’s provocations. Attacks like these, involving ballistic missiles and drone technology, are designed not only to cripple international commerce but to send a clear message of support for Hamas during the conflict with Israel.
The Delta Sounion attack in August left the ship adrift and threatened with environmental catastrophe as efforts to salvage it are ongoing.
The European Union’s EUNAVFOR ASPIDES operation had to intervene, rescuing the crew and neutralizing an additional unmanned surface vessel that posed further danger to the region.
